Members of the American Samoa TeleCommunications Authority (ASTCA) Board have dismissed rumors circulating that ASCTA Board Chairman Roy Hall Jr played a part in the hiring of his son-in-law, Jason Betham as ASTCA’s Chief Business and Finance Officer (CBFO). Board member Don Fuimaono confirmed with Samoa News that Betham was hired last month as CBFO by the board— not the Chair of the Board.

Fuimaono also told Samoa News that there were two applicants for the CBFO position that was advertised: Michael McDonald and Jason Betham. “The board unanimously voted for Jason to take on this position,” said Fuimaono.

Another board member who did not wish to be named told Samoa News that during the board meeting, when it came to time to discuss the CBFO position, Hall recused himself and he did not play any role whatsoever in the hiring of his son-in-law.

“Jason was hired by the board, he’s a qualified candidate who has vast knowledge and is eligible to uphold the CBFO position which is why the board hired him, given his experience,” said the board member.

Samoa News received emails and calls that Hall had hired his son-in-law, comments that did not sit well with ASTCA board members. According to Fuimaono, Hall did not campaign for the board members to hire Jason, rather Betham went through the interview process where the evaluation was conducted by the board members who unanimously hired him.

He also noted that Betham was working for Catholic Education, and it’s unclear if he’s free of that commitment, but as of November, Betham has been working as the new ASTCA CBFO.

Fuimaono — who held the CFO position before — said there was no prior CBFO, however, former CEO, Moefauo Bill Emmsley had hired McDonald to be the marketing manager, and at the same time, “he was doing CBFO work for ASCTA,” said Fuimaono.

According to the ASCTA ad that went out in March 2014, the Chief Business and Finance Officer salary would range from $65,000- $75,000 annually, and outlined duties expected to be performed, which include assisting the Chief technology and engineering officer and the Chief Compliance and Administrative Support Officer.

Betham has worked in banking and finance for a long time, beginning in Honolulu with Amerika Samoa Bank when they operated a branch there. He holds a Bachelors of Arts in International Trade and Finance from Chaminade Univ. (1994);  a Masters of Business Administration in International Business Management, Chaminade Univ., (1998); is a member of Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society and a graduate of the prestigious Executive Leadership Development Program (2011).

In addition to being a Loan Officer with Amerika Samoa Bank, he was Relationship Manager for ANZ/ASB from 2001-2005. 

At Development Bank of American Samoa (2005-2014) he worked as Credit Manager, Vice President, and Acting President (twice).

Betham also served as Vice President for the American Samoa Chamber of Commerce.